Writing

Read Marcene’s latest blogs, articles and op-eds

Reflections on Aspen Ideas

I had the pleasure of attending Aspen Ideas Climate in Miami, FL, and was impressed with the sense of urgency among the attendees for concrete action, which was even more notable because it was also accompanied by a strong sense of hope and empowerment.

The Green Opportunity

As Black History Month concluded, this article delved into the profound role the black community plays in addressing the climate crisis. Acknowledging the disproportionate impacts historically faced by black communities, I shined a light on the opportunity for economic empowerment emerging from a just energy transition.

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

I spoke with TriplePundit about the U.S. EPA’s groundbreaking move to distribute $27 billion through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to states, localities, nonprofits and community lenders. In my capacity as the Senior VP of Climate Change at WWF and Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Green Bank, I was optimistic about the impact this investment fund could have on combating climate change and pollution in historically underserved communities. The March announcement holds promises for supporting U.S. states, cities, towns, nonprofit organizations, and lenders, creating a lasting impact. I am grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the dialogue for a sustainable future

Reflecting on IEA

The International Energy Agency (IEA)’s latest analysis on renewables is promising, revealing a nearly 50% increase in global renewable capacity in 2023. The progress is not just in numbers, but in recognizing how far we have come in this work and continuing on in the collective effort. As we reflect, we have to acknowledge the role climate-focused NGOs are playing in driving a just energy transition for a livable climate future. From holding corporations accountable for their emissions to advocating for climate-first policy, our goal is to engage communities in understanding how renewable energy will fuel our future.

What Comes Next After COP28

This article discusses the outcomes of the 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) held in Dubai. In assessing the first half of COP28, I noted the myriad of pledges being made by countries and companies around methane, energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, financial support for a new loss and damage fund, and food systems.

WWF's Marcene Mitchell on what we need to see at COP28

The negotiators gathered in Dubai for the UN COP28 climate summit, aware of the challenges they faced. The first iteration of the global stocktake report, a key component of the Paris Agreement released in the lead-up to this year’s summit, paints a sobering picture: while we have made strides since 2010, the current trajectory of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions still falls perilously short of the targets set to limit warming.

Is COP Worth It?

In this timely article written by myself, we discuss the purpose of COP and why it has become more prevalent each year.

EPA's Proposed Carbon Standards

The Biden Administration announced its plans to address carbon pollution from electric power plants. In response, WWF issued the following statement from Marcene Mitchell, Senior Vice President.